The Heller estate is seeking to recover monies on several levels including the litigation costs in defending itself against the employee lawsuit relate to the WARN Act.

As far as I’m concerned, Greenberg Traurig should be footing the bill for all the WARN Act costs and penalties because if it wasn’t for their role in creating this massive fuster cluck, then at the very least Heller could have wound down its business operations in a more sensible manner. One that at the very least respected its employees, especially its hard working staff.

We are class counsel for the certified class of former Heller Ehrman employees seeking unpaid wages from the bankruptcy estate. This is an update on the upcoming additional distribution of money to former Heller Ehrman employees.

On September 12, 2011, the Court granted Heller’s motion asking the Court to approve paying out over $20 million to creditors (which includes employees). Heller’s motion included some general information about the claim percentages to be paid (i.e., 24 to 33 percent), but Heller now says the distribution will be 30 percent. Heller has filed the list of employees (and how much money each will get) under seal. This is to protect employee privacy. Heller has sent every employee a letter stating how much money that individual employee can expect to receive.

Heller had previously stated that it hoped to make the payments by September 15, 2011. We are trying to get updated information on the status of the payments.

Sincerely,

Craig M. Collins
Blum Collins LLP

]]>https://hellerdrone.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/heller-ehrman-distributions-update/feed/1141.850033 -87.65005241.850033-87.650052Thomas MacEnteehttps://hellerdrone.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/heller-ehrman-distributions-update/A Payout from the Heller Estate by September 15, 2011?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HellerHighwater/~3/raeWbjnEV_Y/
https://hellerdrone.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/a-payout-from-the-heller-estate-by-september-15-2011/#commentsMon, 15 Aug 2011 00:59:13 +0000http://hellerdrone.wordpress.com/?p=2818We received the following update from Blum Collins this evening (see below). Everyone should read this post to make sure the bankruptcy court and all other parties have your current address.

We are class counsel for the certified class of former Heller Ehrman employees seeking unpaid wages from the bankruptcy estate. Here is what we currently know about the status of a possible additional distribution of money to former Heller Ehrman employees.

Late last week, Heller filed a motion asking the Court to give notice by publication of its plans to file a motion to make an interim distribution to unsecured creditors (which includes employees). Heller also filed a motion to seal the list of employees (and how much money each will get). This is to protect employee privacy.

The publication motion has some general information about the claim percentages to be paid (i.e., 24 to 33 percent). As we reported in our previous email, the bankruptcy estate has raised money by settling its cases against Bank of America and also against Covington & Burling. Heller has not yet determined how much the distribution will be, nor what any individual employee’s share will be. Heller will be sending you a letter with this information soon.

Based on these motions, we expect that Heller will make the payment by September 15, 2011.

That is good news for the Heller estate and hopefully for the staff. But in order to receive any monies – which we are told will happen by the end of 2011 – you must make sure that the Bankruptcy court and other parties have your correct address.

IF YOU ADDRESS HAS CHANGED, please please please fill in the PDF form below. YOU MUST SEND ONE COPY TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

Clerk of the Court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Northern District of California
PO Box 7341
San Francisco, CA 94120-7341

Hanson Bridgett LLP, a major Bay Area law firm, seeks an experienced Docket or Calendar Coordinator for the San Francisco office.

This person would work with the Senior Calendaring Coordinator and Risk Management in formulating and implementing policies, procedures, and practices. The Calendar Department supports firm-wide litigation and transaction calendaring needs, including Intellectual Property.

Determines docket/calendar dates from documents and correspondence and inputs and tracks data into docket calendar program. Produces routine calendars reports for all timekeepers and provides guidance with filing deadlines.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Strong knowledge of federal and state court calendar rules and procedures is required as well as proficiency with the Compulaw docketing program or a comparable docketing program.

Must be able to work well independently or within a team atmosphere and under time pressures. Solid organizational skills and attention to detail. Effective oral and written communication skills. Strong initiative and willingness to assume additional responsibilities as requested. Candidate’s must have the ability to prioritize work, manage time, and work flexible hours.

Clearance of Firm standard background and conflicts checks is required. We are an EOE/AA employer and we value diversity in our workplace. Interested and qualifiedcandidates please forward resumes to the Docketing Manager atrecruiting@hansonbridgett.com and reference job code MM B-CC.

* * *

HOPLLC (Hampton O’Bannon Partners LLP) Current Job Postings

We pay referral bonuses anywhere from the 90 day to after six months of employment (as long as the individual remains employed with our client), and bonuses range from $250-$1,000 depending on the position. Bonuses are paid on direct hire placements only (not temp). The Resource Corner appreciates your referrals! Please ask your referral to email a resume as a Word attachment to kim@hopllc.com and to let us know that you were their referral source. Feel free to check out full job descriptions on our website by referencing the job # at the end of each description.

Paralegal

1. Are you a mid career Corporate Paralegal with at least 4 years of experience looking to work in a top tier law firm’s Silicon Valley office? Would you enjoy being the sole paralegal to a Corporate Practice? If so, you may be a great fit for this branch office’s corporate team. You must have well-rounded, substantive corporate transactional skills. A mid-level paralegal is ideal for this job, but will consider seniors to the $115K range. [Job #3236]

3. Are you a Trademark Paralegal with at least three years of experience looking to make a move to an awesome, large law firm that is great to its employees? Qualified candidates should have foreign filing experience in addition to domestic. Must have a 4 year degree; a Paralegal Certificate is a plus. Must also have solid attention to detail and be adept at software programs typically used in a large law firm trademark legal department. Salary competitive, DOE. [Job #3232]

4. Are you a recent college graduate with top academic credentials and some business office experience looking to apply your skills and education in a law firm environment in San Francisco? If so, a top notch, national law firm is looking to hire you! Interest in venture funds and/or corporate law (business formation: partnerships, LLCs, etc.; contracts/agreements and securities) is desired. Strong software skills particularly MS Office and any database programs. Paralegal Certificate is a plus. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain attention to detail. Salary $38-50K, DOE. [Job #32311]

Secretary

5. If you are a Corporate Legal Assistant/Secretary with 3+ years of corporate transactional secretary experience looking for an awesome, stable, growing, global law firm in Silicon Valley, this is the job for you! This office has a phenomenal Office Administrator who has solid tenure with the firm. You will support the main Corporate Partner, and other corporate timekeepers for a busy, growing Corporate Practice. Salary
DOE to $80K. [Job #3220]

6. Large, global law firm seeks experienced legal document specialists for on-call work, all shifts for its Silicon Valley & San Francisco offices. Must be able to float between the two offices, and/or work solely in Silicon Valley. Rate $21-25/hr. [Job #3217]

Human Resources

7. Do you have junior level HR and/or benefits experience and want to work for a top employer in the Bay Area? Do you like to organize, multi-task and prioritize in a busy, fast-paced work environment? If so, the Silicon Valley office of a large, national law firm has an HR Assistant need and it may be an ideal opportunity for you! Previous HR experience & college degree strongly preferred. Salary DOE. [Job #3245]

Accounting

8. Are you a Billing & Collections Manager who loves what you do? Are you interested in and available for a temp, possible temp to hire opportunity at an awesome, well established, global law firm in San Francisco? This firm consistently ranks in the top three for pro bono legal services. You will work closely with attorneys, their secretaries, and their clients throughout the entire billing process. Requirements: -3+ years in billing, collection, or account management; Excellent communication skills, highly detailed and organized. [Job #3224]

9. Are you a Payroll Manager/Supervisor with 7+ years of experience managing complex, multi-state payroll for a minimum of 1500+ employees who would like to work on a temp to hire basis for a top-ranked, global law firm in San Francisco? Requirements: Strong training and supervisory skills. Thorough knowledge of payroll tax regulations. Knowledgeable in the preparation and filing of payroll tax and other requisite forms. Demonstrated advanced analytical skills. Ability to perceive and analyze problems and to develop responsive solutions. Hourly rate is DOE. [Job #3215]

Other

10. Are you a talented Market Research Associate with two or more years of market research experience looking for direct hire, part-time work in Silicon Valley? If you meet the below requirements, an exciting, venture-backed, technology development and licensing company is looking to hire you! The ideal candidate must have a solid understanding of market research fundamentals, work well in teams, be highly detail oriented, and be well-organized. Has the ability to quickly understand and efficiently search for information regarding diverse technology markets. Highly self-motivated and have an inquisitive, problem-solving nature. Hourly $18-25/hr, DOE. Hours 2-6pm, M-F. [Job #3241]

Qualified/interested candidates can email a resume as a Word attachment to: kim@hopllc.com.

* * *

Public Relations Specialist

Candidate will participate in overall marketing department activities by: developing and implementing a targeted media plan; responding to media inquiries and cultivating relationships with key journalists in the mainstream, financial and legal press; working with publications to place articles and promote speaking opportunities; coordinating submissions for industry surveys, listings and award nominations. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: identifying and creating proactive media opportunities; participating in daily internal PR activities such as tracking and distribution of developments in the media; producing and maintaining relevant press lists and PR calendars; planning and attending special Firm-client events; and occasionally assisting with proposals and collateral materials.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree and 5+ years related experience preferably in a professional services environment. Strong verbal/written communication and proofreading skills; flexibility working with deadlines/time constraints; strong technical skills in Word, Excel, and InterAction.

Salary is capped at $85K. if interested, please email yr resume as a word doc attachment to George Matthews at George@GMRecruiter.com

* * *

Patent Docket Clerk – Costa Mesa

In this hands-on position, the Patent Docket Clerk has a primary role in updating and maintaining the US & Foreign docketing function, and helps coordinate automation for docketing and forms.

Qualifications include 3+ years of docketing or patent paralegal experience, automated docketing system experience, the ability to maintain a docket and prepare docket reports with a high degree if accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Must also have strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills.

Legal Research Clerk – Century City: This special candidate has aspirations in the paralegal field and has earned stellar attorney & supervisory references in their most recent contract position for intellect,
excellent research skills and initiative.

Senior Paralegal – Los Angeles: It’s not often a candidate with this level of experience is available; 20 years experience with high level knowledge Corp transactional work, UCC, Certified Paralegal!

Administrator – Twin Cities: Known for diplomacy, with solid HR Management and law firm
administration experience, this stellar candidate has built their reputation on their ability to work with all
levels of staff and management with outstanding results! MBA degree.

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and assume responsibility to prioritize multiple projects, deal with urgent client needs, and work under tight deadlines and handle multiple competing priorities

• Strong commitment to individual assignments as well as to team assignments

• Strong vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills

• Must be a team player focused on client service

Responsibilities

• Enter and update docket/case management data for attorneys

• Participate in firm-wide docketing activities

• Maintain high level of training and proficiency in electronic filing rules, procedures and techniques

• Serve as a point of contact for local and federal courts

• Coordinate electronic filing training for staff and assist with filing as needed

• Coordinate and provide forms and instructions for routine attorney admissions to local courts

• Maintain resources and provide information to attorneys, paralegals, and staff regarding local and federal court rules, forms and procedures for NP and other firm resources

Patenting Docket Clerk for Google!

This position is based at our Headquarters in Mountain View, CA. Google Legal is a close-knit team of lawyers and legal professionals who operate on a truly global stage. We take pride in working for a company with a clear mission (“to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”) and a real soul (“don’t be evil”). Google’s innovative services raise challenging legal questions that demand creative and practical answers. We work at the crossroads of new technologies and existing laws to provide those answers, helping Google build innovative and important products for our users around the world. If this sounds like your kind of place, it probably is.

The role: Patent Docketing Clerk

As a Patent Docketing Clerk, you will be called on to perform a wide variety of critical support and administrative tasks. You are a detail- oriented person capable of processing/ tracking large quantities of information. Your primary responsibilities will include ciocketing all relevant incoming information and dates for patent prosecution matters. You will work collaboratively with the Google patent team under the supervision of Google attorneys within a fast-paced legal department and company.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain the docketing database for all US and foreign patent prosecution matters [foreign experience preferred] and assist with docketing of third party matters

Senior Docketing Clerk

Career opportunity as Sr. Docketing Clerk for prestigious Century City law firm! The ideal candidate will have 3+ years California calendaring & docketing experience with sound knowledge of associated fees and court rules. Great communication skills, attention to detail and ability to work under deadlines is important.

Must have prior calendaring software experience. This firm offers great benefits, competitive salary and central location on the west side of Los Angeles.

Patent Docket Clerk

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, an international law firm with 1400 lawyers in 22 offices, is currently seeking an IP Docket Clerk for its San Francisco office. This position in th Patent Support Services (PatSu) Department of the IP Patent Practice Group will assist our Patent Support Services Manager and PatSu team. Based on procedures established for each of our clients, the successful candidate will review and extract information from foreign and domestic incoming client related communications, as well as Patent and Trademark Office communications, for entry into our docketing database. In addition, this position is responsible for monitoring the Patent and Trademark Office daily dockets and other administrative responsibilities. Additional projects will be assigned.

This position requires a minimum of one year of related patent docketing experience (equivalent education/experience will also be considered). Qualified candidates must have strong communication (written/verbal) and proofreading skills, an organized approach to work assignments, excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and a team-oriented attitude. Experience with CPI preferred, but not required. Flexibility to work overtime required.

International Docketing Workflow Coordinator — San Francisco

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, an internationally renowned intellectual property law firm, has an immediate position available for an experienced International Docketing Workflow Coordinator in our San Francisco office. Townsend is one of the nation’s leading intellectual property firms, advising a wide range of clients in diverse industries on all aspects of intellectual property acquisition, strategy and litigation. We seek a customer service focused, highly organized, and results-oriented IP professional to join our patent docketing department to assist with the coordination and supervision of International Docketing Assistants and workflow in all international patent docketing functions.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Supervising, training and mentoring International Docketing staff members

Coordinating workflow

Assisting in maintenance and updating of information in the docketing system

Sense of urgency, strong organizational skills and effective time management

Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as you will communicate with attorneys, all levels of administrative staff and contacts outside the Firm

Excellent attention to detail, problem solving, editing and proofreading abilities are also key

Bachelor’s degree preferred

For more information and to submit a resume and cover letter (including salary requirement), please visit our Web site at: www.townsend.com

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

* * *

U.S. Docketing Assistant — San Francisco

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LIP, an internationally renowned intellectual property law firm, has an immediate position available for an experienced U.S. Docketing Assistant in our San Francisco office. Townsend is one of the nation’s leading intellectual property firms, advising a wide range of clients in diverse industries on all aspects of intellectual property acquisition, strategy and litigation. We seek a customer service focused, highly organized, and results-oriented IP professional to join our patent docketing department to assist with the thorough and accurate docketing of various U.S. patent and trademark correspondence.

Sense of urgency, strong organizational skills and effective time management

Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as you will communicate with attorneys, all levels of administrative staff and contacts outside the Firm

Excellent attention to detail, problem solving, editing and proofreading abilities are also key

Bachelor’s degree preferred

For more information and to submit a resume and cover letter (including salary requirement), please visit our Web site at: www.townsend.com

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

* * *

Patent Docketinci Specialist (Silicon Valley)

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, provides US and foreign filing docket services for the Patent Group, ensuring integrity and accuracy of the docket function. Dockets dates and deadlines, de-dockets completed items, and prepares responsive docket reports. Assists on special projects, researching and analyzing relevant
issues. Ensures client service and satisfaction are attained in all areas of the position.
Essential Functions

Client Service

1. Consistently promote and model the Firm’s Client Service Principles in teamwork, work product, and personal interaction.

2. Ensure exemplary client service to all internal and external clients; proactively promote client service throughout department and among teams; respond to peer requests with recognition that request serves a
client or Firm need.

3. Investigate perceived discrepancies and inconsistencies in due dates and dockets; analyze and review mail where response dates are not apparent or where contingencies may exist; report issues and findings to appropriate attorneys and staff.

4. Act as resource to attorneys and staff, providing docketing guidance and expertise. Regularly and effectively communicate docket standards, protocols, and procedures to ensure understanding and compliance within department.

2. Ensure that any discrepancies in docket dates and responses are appropriately resolved and corrected.

3. Review relevant documents, such as letters, faxes, email, etc., relating to foreign filing responses and de-docket as appropriate; follow though with foreign filing specialists and department members as necessary.

2. Review and follow through on updates to docket report as identified by department members; input updates into docketing database.

3. Prepare ad hoc docket reports for department members and clients, customizing as appropriate. Collaborate closely with department members to ensure that client reports are formatted and prepared to meet client needs.

Special Projects

1. Collaborating with office and firmwide specialists, assist in the regular review and assessment of docketing procedures; participate in and coordinate updates to procedures; develop responsive procedural changes.

4. Provide in-depth, detailed, and analytical research on docket related issues and questions; follow through on findings; propose and implement measures as appropriate to improve processes to reduce future risk.

5. Assist with and manage docketing of matters coming in and leaving the department. Ensure that matters in/matters out are appropriately reviewed and prioritized and that risk management is unfailingly addressed.

Work Flow Management and Quality Control

1. Scrupulously review all work product to ensure highest accuracy; routinely apply techniques and procedures to mange details, often working under critical deadlines.

Litigation Practice Support Manager

This position is for a law firm in San Francisco. They are seeking someone to be responsible for all aspects of building and maintaining firm wide litigation support systems and practices, vendor management, selection and implementation of lit support and E discovery technologies, creation and implementation of effective practice support policies and procedures and oversight and management of all practice support personnel. This person will promote and advance the department’s effectiveness including assessing all team and client needs, organizing and direction workflow, training, coaching and motivating the team. Ensure client service and satisfaction is attained in all relevant areas of the position.

MCLE Coordinator

Fenwick & West provides comprehensive legal services to high technology and life sciences clients of national and international prominence. We have approximately 250 attorneys with offices in Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Seattle. We are committed to providing innovative, cost-effective and practical legal services that focus on global high technology industries and issues.

We have an opportunity in our San Francisco office for a MCLE Coordinator. Under the direction of the Director of Information Services, the MCLE Coordinator monitors the MCLE credits for the Firm’s lawyers and paralegals. The MCLE Coordinator responds to inquiries regarding MCLE classes and requirements. The MCLE Coordinator also maintains the Risk Management Intranet page, provides assistance to the Litigation Docket Specialist and to the Audit Response Group. The ideal candidate should be detail oriented with analytical ability and excellent data entry skills. He or she should demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills and have experience with MS Office applications.

International Docketing Specialist

A very well known IP law firm is seeking an experienced International Docketing Specialist for their SF office. You will be responsible for all docketing of international patent correspondence. Duties include:
Review, process and route hard copy correspondence to appropriate recipients; docket and undocket email correspondence; Process fixed fees; Conduct audits to ensure accuracy of data entered; Input quality assurance protocols for data integrity and 2nd eye review; Other duties as required.

The Ideal Candidate will have a mm of 3 years International Docketing exp at a law firm; Know IP Patent Matters; Be proficient in MS Windows based software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook); BA degree required. Compensation is DOE but the range is in the mid fifties to low 60s.

If you would like to be presented, please email a copy of your resume as a word doc to George Matthews at George@GMRecruiter.com.

Patent Tax Assistant – San Francisco

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LIP, an internationally renowned intellectual property law firm, has an immediate position available for an experienced Patent Tax Assistant in our San Francisco office. Great opportunity for an experienced Patent Tax Assistant. As a valued team member, the selected candidate will be responsible for the accurate tracking and timely payment of international annuities and U.S. maintenance fees.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Timely docketing and undocketing of annuity and maintenance fee due dates.

For more information and to submit a resume and cover letter (including salary requirement), please visit our Web site at: www.townsend.com

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

* * *

Patent Tax Assistant (Entry Level) — San Francisco

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, an internationally renowned intellectual property law firm, has an immediate position available for an entry level Patent Tax Assistant in our San Francisco office.

Great opportunity for an IP professional to enter the area of Patent Tax. As a valued team member, the selected candidate will be responsible for the accurate tracking and timely payment of international annuities and U.S. maintenance fees.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Timely docketing and undocketing of annuity and maintenance fee due dates.

For more information and to submit a resume and cover letter (including salary requirement), please visit our Web site at: www.townsend..com

Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

* * *

Trademark Docketing Clerk or Specialist

This position is with a Top International Law Firm, in their Palo Alto area office. Ideally they are looking for someone with 2+ years of experience assisting in all aspects of US and foreign trademark docketing. This is working with a really nice team with an established book of business and a very congenial group. The company has an exceptional working environment, is very family-oriented and offers a balanced work life as well as flexible hours.

Responsibilities include Trademark docketing and database management for a growing trademark group. Preparing and processing of related reports and information. Review all incoming trademark mail.

Proficiency with CPI docketing software highly preferred.

The starting salary for this position is in the 60-65K range, depending on experience.

Docket Clerk

We are a dynamic small employment defense firm with big firm clients looking for a full time docket and calendar clerk who also will be responsible for opening, copying, distributing, calendaring and filing mail and faxes as well as maintaining case files. Experience with CompuLaw is a plus. We’re a great group of people looking to find just the right person for our team.

Compensation is based on experience level. Benefits include medical, dental, and 401(k).

Records Specialist

Latham & Watkins, a prestigious international law firm, has an immediate opening for a full-time Records Specialist in its Costa Mesa, Orange County (California) office. Requirements: 3 to 5 years of law firm records experience (experience in other law firm positions having significant document organizational responsibilities may be considered in lieu of directly related records experience). Knowledge of records management database (preferably LegalKey) is essential. Excellent organizational skills and detail oriented. Well developed interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with attorneys, paralegals, and clients. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong work ethic and ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Primary Responsibilities: Assist records supervisor with space management: organize and maintain large document collections in case rooms; allocate case room space to attorneys and paralegals; maintain an inventory of active cases; communicates with attorneys and paralegals when the case is dormant or closed to expedite removal of material to offsite storage. Assist with implementation of records retention program: ascertain which files are subject to retention; contact attorneys and clients with information on retention actions; comply with client or attorney instructions; maintain all database information regarding
retention status; stay current on any changes to the firm’s retention policy. Assist with file transfers and other duties as needed.

The firm offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Please e-mail your resume and a cover letter to Frank Miramontes at frank.miramontes@jw.com.

* * *

IP Docketing Specialist

Latham & Watkins, a prestigious international law firm, has an immediate opening for a full-time IP Docketing Specialist in its Costa Mesa, Orange County (California) office. Requirements: 3 to 5 years of experience in U.S. and foreign trademark docketing. Strong knowledge of trademark docketing system (preferably CPI), Microsoft Word and Excel. Extremely detail oriented with strong organizational skills. Well developed interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with trademark paralegals and attorneys. Strong work ethic and ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Primary Responsibilities: Maintain IP docketing in the CPI database, which includes state and federal trademarks, copyrights, domain names and trademark oppositions; maintain timeline of applications entered into CPI; review mail, docket as appropriate and forward appropriately; monitor docket to be sure items are completed in a timely manner; generate repofts; communicate frequently with paralegals and attorneys; correspond with foreign associates and vendors; prepare invoices for payment; assist with file transfers and other duties as needed.

The firm offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Please e-mail your resume and a cover letter to Frank Miramontes at frank.miramontes@lw.com.

* * *

Docket Clerk

A well established mid-size law firm is looking for someone with at least 2 years of related experience, and knowledge of CompuLaw and Microsoft Outlook. The firm offers a very nice environment with a very supportive office manager. This person should have knowledge of court rules and litigation court filing. The firm is located in the San Mateo/Burlingame area, and the salary range for this opportunity is 48K.

Please contact:

Ivonnve Picklo, Recruiter/Researcher ivonne@bpsource.com

Brian GoIter & Associates 650-947-8700

* * *

Senior Conflicts Analyst

Cooley Godward Kronish LLP is looking for a Senior Conflicts Analyst in its San Francisco office. This position works under the supervision of the Business Information Services Manager and is primarily responsible for determining existing or potential conflicts for incoming attorneys, paralegals and all other staff. 2-4 years of experience with conflicts in a law firm environment required, including interaction with attorneys and secretaries regarding potential conflicts. An understanding of a corporate law practice and four year college degree preferred.

Patent Docketing Specialist

Growing patent law firm located in Oakland has an immediate opportunity for an experienced Patent Docketing Specialist. The ideal candidate has 1+ year of patent prosecution experience or 2+ years docketing experience and proficiency with PATTSY is a must. Successful candidate is an independent, detail-oriented and hardworking professional who is a team player. The firm is offering a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including medical/dental/vision insurance, a 401k plan, profit sharing and parking reimbursement. If this sounds like the job you have been waiting for, act now! Send your resume to wclegal@dpijobs.com.

Provide training to new calendar staff on of calendar database, conduct orientation of new professional staff and attorneys on the firm’s docket/calendar procedures.

Ancillary Duties:

Responsible for researching complex docket/calendar issues and for resolving difficult case specific inquiries to ensure accurate and efficient docketing in accordance with applicable practice and rules.

Install rule and other updates, inactivate closed matters and make any required changes to client/matter records and provide assistance with the transfer of cases into or out of the firm.

Knowledge and Experience:

Professional legal calendaring system experience (Compulaw a plus)

Some Legal Education (e.g., law school or paralegal certificate) or Equivalent in Experience and/or Training.

B.A./B.S. Preferred or 5 or more years Experience in Comparable Position

Must be proficient in Word, Outlook, Windows Environment

Extensive Knowledge of Federal, State and Local Court Rules

Demonstrated work history of performing manual and computerized docket/calendar functions and resolving complex docket/calendar issues; Demonstrated work history of attention to detail and work initiative.

Will there be settlement checks in the future, besides what we just received?

The settlement checks recently received by members of the employee class as a result of our lawsuit against the shareholders constitute payment of each respective employee’s “priority wages.” Given that the Heller Ehrman estate is in bankruptcy, any payouts to the various creditors of Heller Ehrman, which number in the hundreds, must follow bankruptcy court rules. In general, a creditor in a bankruptcy matter has a right to secured, priority, non-priority (aka, unsecured) or subordinated payments, depending on the status of the creditor. Employee wages can be treated as a “priority” claim against the estate, but the amounts so treated as priority are capped in various ways. See, for instance, the three sample explanations located under Exhibit “D” in the fat “Disclosure Statement in Support of Joint Plan of Liquidation of Heller Ehrman LLP” that all members of the employee class should have received in May 2010.

In this regard, “wages” include such items as accrued but unused vacation time and WARN Act wages. See, again, the Disclosure Statement for details.

(Note that Heller Ehrman, like most private companies, did not have a policy to payout any accrued but unused sick time upon termination of employment. As a result, the settlement does not include any payment for accrued but unused sick time.)

If the settlement award to any given employee included payouts in addition to his or her priority award, subsequent “non-priority” payouts are expected to be made in various installments over a period of several years. With regard to these non-priority payouts, we will be in the same bucket as hundreds of other non-employee creditors, such as landlords, Williams Lea, etc. How much of our respective non-priority awards will eventually be received by us will be determined by how much money the unsecured creditors’ committee is successful at obtaining from various entities who owe money to the Heller Ehrman estate.

Because of the multi-year process of liquidating the Heller Ehrman estate, make sure you keep your address current with the Bankruptcy Court.

Are there ongoing efforts by Blum Collins to collect the interest, penalties and any other Warn Act fees due to us?

Blum Collins’s role in this matter concluded with the adoption of the settlement. And note that bankruptcy court rules do not permit the payment of interest.

With regard to the payment of waiting-time penalties, the settlement does allocate $7 million in waiting-time penalty awards to the employee class, but this is treated as a subordinated payout. As a result, it is unlikely that the Heller Ehrman estate will have any funds left to pay any waiting-time penalties.

It just seems like such a lot of fees paid to counsel for such a small return for the class. Thoughts?

Note that the employee class likely will eventually receive several million dollars in wage payments from the Heller Ehrman estate once the multi-year installment payouts conclude.

The fees paid to Blum Collins were paid by the Heller Ehrman estate, not out of the employee-class awards directly. With regard to the appropriateness of the amount of those fees ($950,000, which covers both fees and Blum Collins’s expenses), that is a subjective matter, a full discussion of which is beyond the scope of this reply.

Likewise, with regard to the appropriateness of how the settlement was structured, that also is a subjective matter beyond the scope of this reply, other than to note that the employee class needed to vote on accepting the proposed settlement, and in so doing, did accept the proposed settlement by a margin well in excess of the required super-majority percentage.

The message from Heller Ehrman who is ready to distribute checks is as follows:

You may have sent to us some time in the past a change of address; however, we have recently learned that we are prohibited from sending court distributions (such as the Biggers settlement checks) to addresses that are not on the Bankruptcy Court record.

If you have changed your address at any time since filing your claim and did not update the court, you must fill out and mail to the court the attached Change of Address form as soon as possible in order to receive court distributions in a timely manner. Distributions are due to be sent in early September.

Update at 5:20 PM PDT

In addition, John Fiero of Pachulski, Stang, Ziehl & Jones which is representing the Heller estate, highly recommends that you also send a cc of the form to the address at the bottom of the form. The court may take a long time to do so so it is in your best interest to take this extra step.

We are happy to report that on August 9, 2010 the Bankruptcy Court approved the proposed Plan of Liquidation that will fund the settlement with the class of former employees.

When Will the Employees be Paid Their Priority Claims?

Assuming all contingencies in the plan are met for the Plan to become effective (which we believe is now likely), payments on the priority amount of the employees’ claims could be made within 30 days from now. The timing of payment of the non-priority amounts will depend on when additional funds come into the estate.

Kyle Everett at DSI Will be Sending the Checks

If the plan becomes effective, the claims administrator, Kyle Everett at a company called DSI, will send you a check.

If you want to ensure that you receive any payment to class members that might be coming to you, you should send your current address to Mr. Everett, who is the claims administrator: